Bottling up more Shorter brothers support in a nice drop this month

Hydrotherapy, one of the best ways to keep them moving, has just started back and the brothers continued face-to-face physiotherapy after the first lockdown.

Mum Belinda Shorter said it had been an incredible juggling act, particularly with home learning periods thrown in the mix and with sister Sofia starting prep.

The brothers each live with degenerative disease Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. This genetic condition gradually causes muscle deterioration and weakness.

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Max, age 11, is starting to rely on his scooter more to get about. Will, who turns 10 next month, and Hudson, age seven, have scooters to help if they need but still mostly use them for fun.

Family friend Brendan Charleson is bringing back a way to help the family the way he knows best - with wines. The De Bortoli sales manager is once again teaming up with Jacks at Cellarbrations for a wine offer fundraiser this month. The effort raised almost $3000 for the family last year.

While there will be no wine tasting event this year, due to coronavirus restrictions, the wine offer will be a national promotion via the Jacks Wine website. Mr Charleson hoped this would also raise more awareness for DMD and the Shorter Brothers on a national level.

Ms Shorter said ongoing community support for her family was incredible. She said while the National Disability Insurance Scheme helped with most things, extra support was invaluable in keeping up with the fast-changing needs of her busy boys.

"It's nice to have support around for the boys," she said. "We know if we do need something quickly there's money there for the boys."

New wines are in the mix for the Shorter Brothers' sparkling, white, red or mixed wine packs. For each six-pack of wines sold this month, $10 will support the Shorter Brothers Foundation. Grill'd Ballarat is offering a free burger to every $100 spent.